CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The City Council voted down a request to reconsider a past zoning case, which had plans for the development of a daycare center, among other commercial opportunities, near the Rossview school campus.
The applicant previously asked for more than 4 acres be rezoned from R-1 Single-Family Residential District to C-2 General Commercial District on a parcel fronting the north of Rossview Road.
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With the previous request, several council members expressed concerns about the proposed C-2 zoning due to the ability to add apartments, which led to the rezone’s narrow defeat.
“Again, I’m bringing this forward, because they did previously come before us and request C-2 zoning. It failed here when it came before us by one vote because many on the council were opposed to the C-2,” Councilperson Stacey Streetman said at Thursday’s meeting.
“They were very clear that was not what their plan was to do, however, I do understand those concerns, which is also why we’ve addressed it in other ways of wanting that to be changed with the zoning rewrite.”
‘This is a drastic change’
Streetman said the applicant is now interested in bringing the request back, but as a Planned Unit Development (PUD), which would include a daycare center in the back of the property, as well as retail in the front.
“This is a drastic change with them bringing forward the Planned Unit Development,” Streetman said. “It’s also something that’s going to take a much longer process through the Regional Planning Commission for them to be able to do. It’s not just requesting a zone change, and the various departments needing to comment.”
Streetman said with a PUD, the various departments will be directly involved throughout the planning process. “Many drawings will be brought forward; everything has got to be approved and ready before it comes to us.
“Then, once we have the opportunity to vote again on the Planned Unit Development, they wouldn’t be able to make very big changes within it, if it was approved at that time. Again, this is just allowing the opportunity to reapply,” she said.
Concerns over traffic on Rossview Road
Councilperson Joe Shakeenab said he can’t get behind the request because of the precedent it would set. “Whether it failed by one vote, or whether it failed by four votes, I think we should honor what the council voted on,” he said.
Shakeenab also pointed out that the enhancements on Rossview Road are not anywhere close to being finished, which also tied into a point Councilperson Tim Chandler spoke on.
Chandler said that right now, Phase 1 of improvements on Rossview Road has cost more than $5 million, and with the city being responsible for 20% of the project budget, they’ve already spent around $1 million themselves.
“Let’s limit the traffic out there. You go out there anytime, any day, and see how backed up it is,” he said. “The traffic out there is a mess, traffic is a mess in this entire city, and it’s time we say enough is enough.”
Frustration with C-2 zoning: ‘I’m going to support this’
Councilperson Brian Zacharias said it sounds like the council is debating the merits of a rezoning application that they have not even seen yet.
“I just had a conversation with some folks over at the Regional Planning Commission this afternoon, where I shared some of my frustrations with not knowing exactly what I was putting onto a neighborhood when I voted in favor or against a C-2,” Zacharias said.
“So, if there is an organization or developer out there that is willing to pay an additional application fee for the opportunity to commit, put their name on the line for what exactly they are going to build, I’m all for letting them do that. I’m going to support this,” he said.
Resolution fails to reach three-fourths majority
To authorize the reapplication, the City Council would have had to approve the resolution with a three-fourths majority vote. However, the resolution didn’t even reach a majority, as it was voted down 5-7-1 with Zacharias, Streetman, Ambar Marquis, Jimmy Brown and Mayor Joe Pitts voting in favor.
Voting against were Chandler, Shakeenab, Deanna McLaughlin, Carlos Peters, Travis Holleman, Jerry Haywood and Keri Lovato. Abstaining from the vote was Wanda Smith.
‘A daycare at Exit 8 is not just a business’
Clarksville Now reached out to project developer Suresh Burle for an update on his plans following the council’s decision.
Burle said that he has been a proud resident of Rossview Road for the past 15 years, and both of his children studied at Rossview schools. “I hold deep respect for our schools and community, and it is with that spirit that I wish to develop a property that truly supports local families,” he said.
“A daycare at Exit 8 is not just a business – it is a much-needed service for the fast-growing neighborhoods in our area. Parents should not have to drive far east, or through industrial zones, to drop off or pick up their children. After-school care would also provide peace of mind for working parents, saving them from stressful commutes and traffic, while ensuring their children are safe and close to home.”
Burle said that he respectfully asks the council to consider the long-term benefits of a project such as this one. “If given the opportunity, I will ensure that the daycare and surrounding property are built to the highest standards, bringing both beauty and essential services to Rossview Road – rather than leaving the site underused and poorly lit.”
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